VIDEO: Geyser creates havoc in Twickenham, with businesses damaged and major traffic delays

Sandys Fishmongers has been badly affected by water erupting from the road, causing "major damage" to its King Street premises.

Owner Stuart Sandys said: "They were doing water works this morning and have gone through a pipe which has decimated the front of the shop.

"It is coming through the roof and has taken out all the blinds and windows - we're doing a damaged limitation job at the moment, trying to rescue the computers.

"We are trying to move everything but it has caused major damage to the shop.

"We are stuck in here at the moment as the shutters have come down."

Rimel Barua, manager at Moidul's Rawalpindi, said the Indian restaurant's cellar had been flooded and he was still assessing the damage.

He said: "The cellar has flooded - we keep chairs, tables and a few other things down there and we are just checking.

"The water has come through to the front of the door but not come into the restaurant so we are lucky."

He added much of the water was being pumped clear by firefighters.

Twickenham fire station sent one pump to help shift floodwater from shops, along with one each from Kingston and Southall.

London Fire Brigade (LFB) confirmed it a specialist operation support lorry, delivering 30 bags of sand to the scene of the watery explosion.

A Thames Water spokesman said: "We’re really sorry to people and businesses affected by the burst pipe. 

"Our workers damaged it by accident while carrying out another job and we’ll be doing everything we can, as fast as we can, to put things right."

Witness Gill Young said: "The water was so strong it just tore down the awning and went cascading down the front of the building like a waterfall - a real deluge."

Major delays to traffic are expected and drivers are advised to avoid the King Street area. Bus routes 290, 490, R68 and R70 are subject to diversion.

Credit: Transport for London

Daniel Finn tweeted: "Well twickenham king street is a bit wet".

Sarah Mackernan tweeted: "Good of el brute to invest in a high st water fountain. Oh wait, its a digger that's burst a pipe.  Not good for #sandys #twickenham".

Milestone Commercial tweeted: "Massive burst main in #twickenham  Sandys looking very wet. This is not good."

@JoeFlower22 tweeted: "Twickenham high street is currently a swimming pool...".

• Have you been affected? Email Tom Ambrose on tom.ambrose@london.newsquest.co.uk or call 020 8722 6330.